Schmallenberg spreads into Cornwall

The first case of Schmallenberg virus outside the areas in the UK initially believed to be most at risk has been confirmed in Cornwall.

The AHVLA has announced that the virus has now been confirmed on 52 farms across the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hertfordshire, Surrey, Hampshire and Cornwall.

The majority of the cases are in sheep although the disease has now been confirmed on three cattle farms.

The case in Cornwall is in sheep.

In a statement released on Friday (17 Feb) the AHVLA said an increase in reports of Schmallenberg in France means the areas at comparatively higher risk in the UK have also been revised.

These areas include Dorset, Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire and there is also an increase in risk for South Wales.

For more on Schmallenberg see our dedicated page.